Georgia's Magical Holiday Events
From holiday lights to train rides with Santa, experience the magic of the season at these Georgia events!
Twinkling lights, train rides, historic home tours and more fill the events calendar throughout the holidays in Georgia. These signature events are gifts the whole family will enjoy this holiday season.
Holiday Light Displays
Holly Jolly Jekyll
Jekyll Island is home to more than a million lights during the Holly Jolly Jekyll season. The Great Tree alone has more than 45,000, which is more per square foot than the NYC Rockefeller Center Christmas tree! Purchase tickets online for the guided tram tours that take place on select nights. Trolley riders will enjoy festive holiday beverages, music, and a one-of-a-kind tour souvenir.
Don't miss the light parade, holiday fireworks, and special drive-in movie presentations. Check the Jekyll Island events calendar for a full lineup of holiday fun!
Nov. 24, 2023 - Jan. 7, 2024
Fantasy In Lights at Callaway Resort & Gardens
Callaway Resort & Gardens' Fantasy In Lights is not only the South's most spectacular holiday light and sound show, it is one of the world's "Top 10 Places to See Holiday Lights," as named by National Geographic Traveler. Journey through the seven-mile scenic drive, featuring 17 brilliantly illuminated Christmas scenes, and then explore the Callaway Christmas Village, where a forest of twinkling lights, gigantic snowflakes and larger-than-life ornaments enchant your whole family. The Field of Lights scene is nearly two football fields long, featuring a Christmas tree more than 10 stories tall, making it the tallest Christmas tree in the South. Make the most of your night of lights with an overnight stay in a cozy cottage, villa or The Lodge & Spa.
Plan your trip with tips from Explore Georgia's Guide to Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Resort & Gardens.
Nov. 17, 2023 - Jan. 1, 2024
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden
The annual electrical extravaganza features spectacular light displays throughout the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The massive Tunnel of Light along with favorites such as the Orchestral Orbs, Glittering Galaxy, Radiant Rainforest and Model Trains continue to make the exhibition a must-see holiday tradition.
Nov. 18, 2023 - Jan. 14, 2024
Rock City's Enchanted Garden of Lights
This award-winning light extravaganza at Rock City Gardens features more than 30 holiday scenes that transform the gardens' natural daytime splendor into a nocturnal fantasyland. Explore the Arctic Kingdom Aurora Lights, the Magic Forest and more, while also enjoying holiday shopping and visiting with Santa.
Nov. 17 - Dec. 31, 2023. Reserved timed entry tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Winter WonderLights
This walk-through light show at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens features illuminated displays along a half-mile path that is certain to delight and inspire. At Winter WonderLights, wander through a Winter Wondercave, along Jingle Bell Lane and through a Cone Tree Forest while you enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, and shop for gifts in the holiday market. The half-mile trail takes 45-60 minutes to complete and is fully ADA-accessible.
Select nights Nov. 22 - Dec. 30, 2023
Then, in January, the garden will offer a special event for the new year, WonderLights Disco Nights. Disco Nights will allow visitors to experience the light show trail while grooving to disco hits. Ticket prices and entry times for Disco Nights will be the same as Winter WonderLights.
Jan. 4-7, 2024
Lighting Events
Join magical festivities throughout the state in dramatic holiday lighting ceremonies with music, performances, food and much more family fun. Mark your calendars for these hometown favorites:
- Lighting the Market in Madison Nov. 10, 2023
- Season of Celebration in Alpharetta Nov. 18, 2023
- The Lighting of Avalon in Alpharetta Nov. 19, 2023
- Lights! Lights! Thanksgiving Night! in Moultrie Nov. 23, 2023
- Light Up Blue Ridge in Blue Ridge Nov. 25, 2023
- Christmas Jubilee & Parade of Lights in Woodstock Dec. 2, 2023
- Hanukkah Menorah Lighting Ceremony in Milledgeville Dec. 7, 2023
- Chanukah Menorah Lighting in Alpharetta Dec. 7, 2023
- Menorah Lighting of Avalon Dec. 10, 2023
Find more lights in:
Festivals
Old Fashioned Christmas in Dahlonega
Don't miss the Lighting of Downtown Dahlonega and Lighting of the Tree on Nov. 24, 2023, the Christmas Parade on Dec. 9, 2023, and visit with Santa various dates. Enjoy Christmas lights, carriage rides, music, wine tastings, extended shopping hours and more holiday festivities through Dec. 31, 2023. Experience the holidays in Dahlonega, which has been named one of the Top 25 Hallmark Christmas Towns!
Nov. 24 - Dec. 31, 2023
Victorian Christmas in Thomasville
Carriage rides with jingle bells and twinkling lights set the stage for a truly unforgettable experience during Thomasville's Victorian Christmas. Carolers sing traditional favorites while colorful characters capture your imagination with street theater. Community sing-alongs, chestnut roasting and marshmallow toasting will put you in the mood for Christmas. Festival favorites include live musical entertainment, carriage rides, a live nativity and a winter wonderland for children!
Dec. 14-15, 2023
Explore more events & festivals in Georgia
Home Tours
Christmas at the Old Governor's Mansion in Milledgeville
Embrace the smell of fresh-cut Fraser firs and chestnuts on the fire as Milledgeville's Old Governor’s Mansion transforms into a beautiful representation of what Christmas looked like in the time period before the Civil War. During Christmas at the Mansion, every room is dressed with authentic period decorations - from streamers in the children’s room to poinsettias, holly branches and gorgeous ribbons in other rooms and parlors. For an especially unique experience, take a candlelight tour.
Select dates Nov. 11 - Dec. 22, 2023
Madison's Holiday Tour of Homes
It’s the perfect seasonal delight for adults or a grand Georgia welcome for out-of-town visitors. Madison’s Holiday Tour of Homes invites visitors to explore Madison’s most beautiful and iconic homes decked out for the holiday season. Even more spectacular: explore the grandeur by candlelight!
Dec. 1-2, 2023
Plum Orchard Christmas Tour on Cumberland Island
Experience what Christmas on Cumberland Island looked like on a special holiday tour of Plum Orchard mansion. Stroll through rooms decked in traditional early 1900s decorations. Learn about holiday customs of the time from volunteers and staff dressed in period costumes. In addition to the tour, enjoy seasonal refreshments, play some old-fashioned lawn games, and create a souvenir of your visit. You may even hear a Christmas carol or two! Space is limited, so advance reservations are highly recommended.
Dec. 2, 2023
Hills & Dales Estate
Celebrate the season at the Hills & Dales Estate in LaGrange. The halls of this Georgian Italian villa are decked with fresh plants, flowers and evergreens. In the living room is a Christmas tree decorated circa 1940s, and a special display adorns the Palm room. Tour the home, and learn to make your own greenery at wreath workshops.
Dec. 5 - 30, 2023
More: Celebrate Christmas Past with These Holiday Home Tours
Holiday Train Rides
Holiday Express in Blue Ridge
Enjoy a daytime fun-filled train ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Lasting only an hour, the ride is great for families, and all children get a traditional bell and a candy cane.
Select dates Nov. 24 - Dec. 24, 2023
Santa Special Christmas Train in Kingsland
On the Georgia Coastal Railway, the magic of Christmas comes alive when Jolly Old St. Nick himself and his elves board the train. Enjoy entertainment all along the 70-minute journey.
Select dates Nov. 24 - Dec. 23, 2023
Holiday Train Rides on SAM Shortline
Reserve your tickets on the Historic SAM Shortline Railroad for several special holiday train rides. Join the ride to Plains on Nov. 25, 2023, to see the annual Christmas Lighting, ride the Candy Cane Express, and more!
Select dates November through December 2023
More: 8 Holiday Train Adventures Around Georgia
Festive Attractions
Stone Mountain Christmas
Have a holly jolly Christmas at Stone Mountain Park, where the true magic of the season is in the air. Enjoy the glow of more than 2 million lights, festive music and visits from some your favorite holiday characters at Stone Mountain Christmas. Start a new tradition and create memories that will last a lifetime for your kids...and you.
Nov. 11 - Dec. 31, 2023
Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Georgia
Enjoy festive holiday shows, scrumptious treats, and your favorite thrill rides and roller coasters at Six Flags Over Georgia during the holiday season. The park will transform into a winter wonderland, featuring festive holiday lights and themed decorations!
Select dates Nov. 18 - Dec. 31, 2023
See How to Celebrate the Holidays in Georgia
